Young sea turtles use human-made lagoon as nursery in the United Arab Emirates

Researchers tracking nine juvenile green turtles found that the animals spent over 80 percent of their time in the Al Qurm Wa Lehhfaiiah Protected Area, a man-made lagoon on the coast of the Gulf of Oman in the United Arab Emirates.

The turtles, which have shells less than 23 inches across, used the artificial basin as a primary habitat for foraging and shelter. The basin was excavated in 2003 to extend the Khor Kalba mangrove trees.

Because the floor of the lagoon is covered with algae, the researchers believe the turtles have a consistent food source. While the lagoon provides a refuge, the study notes that the turtles still rely on natural mangrove channels to connect to the sea and move with the tides.

The Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority and researchers from the University of Exeter noted that while these engineered wetlands provide valuable habitat, the turtles still face threats from coastal development and pollution. The study also highlighted the mobile nature of the species, as one turtle traveled over 430 miles south to central Oman once it grew older.